William Hurt joins FX’s ‘Damages’

Actor reunites with 'Big Chill' co-star Close

William Hurt has signed on to join the cast of FX’s “Damages,” reuniting him with his “The Big Chill” co-star Glenn Close.

“Damages” will mark Hurt’s first-ever regular TV series role.

Hurt hops on to the show as “Damages” starts shooting its second season next week in New York. Hurt will play a client of Close’s character, tough-as-nails attorney Patty Hewes. Hurt’s character and Hewes also have a past that’s more than just professional.

“As we created the role, we were thinking about who might be the right fit,” said exec producer Todd Kessler, who’s directing the season opener. “William was at the top of the list. Once you see this season, you’ll see why it makes so much sense.”

Sony Pictures TV and FX Prods. produce “Damages,” which will return in early 2009. Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman created and exec produce the series.

Besides Close, Rose Byrne and Tate Donovan are also set to return for season two. FX had previously picked up two more seasons of “Damages.”

For season two, Kessler said the show will be less serialized and include more self-contained storylines.